Can Letermovir cause cytomegalovirus infection reactivation?

ADVERSE REACTIONS Adult HSCT Patients: Most common adverse events (occurring in at least 10% of subjects in the PREVYMIS group and at a frequency at least 2% greater than placebo) are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, peripheral edema, cough, headache, fatigue, and abdominal pain. ( 6.1 ) Adult Kidney Transplant Patients: Most common adverse event (occurring in at least 10% of subjects in the PREVYMIS group and at a frequency greater than valganciclovir) is diarrhea. ( 6.1 ) Pediatric Patients: Adverse events in pediatric patients are similar to adults. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC at 1-877-888-4231 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adult CMV-seropositive Recipients [R+] of an Allogeneic HSCT Prophylaxis Through Week 14 (~100 days) Post-HSCT The safety of PREVYMIS was evaluated in a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (P001) in which 565 subjects were randomized and treated with PREVYMIS (N=373) or placebo (N=192) through Week 14 post-HSCT. Adverse events were those reported while subjects were on study medication or within two weeks of study medication completion/discontinuation. The mean time for reporting adverse events and laboratory abnormalities was approximately 22% longer in the PREVYMIS arm compared to the placebo arm. Cardiac Adverse Events The cardiac adverse event rate was higher in subjects receiving PREVYMIS (13%) compared to subjects receiving placebo (6%). The most common cardiac adverse events were tachycardia (reported in 4% of PREVYMIS subjects and in 2% of placebo subjects) and atrial fibrillation (reported in 3% of PREVYMIS subjects and in 1% of placebo subjects). Among those subjects who experienced one or more cardiac adverse events, 85% of PREVYMIS and 92% of placebo subjects had events reported as mild or moderate in severity. Common Adverse Events The rate of adverse events occurring in at least 10% of subjects in the PREVYMIS group and at a frequency at least 2% greater than placebo are outlined in Table 8. Table 8: Trial P001 All Grade Adverse Events Reported in ≥ 10% of PREVYMIS-Treated HSCT Recipients at a Frequency at least 2% Greater than Placebo Adverse Events PREVYMIS (N=373) Placebo (N=192) nausea 27% 23% diarrhea 26% 24% vomiting 19% 14% peripheral edema 14% 9% cough 14% 10% headache 14% 9% fatigue 13% 11% abdominal pain 12% 9% Overall, similar proportions of subjects in each group discontinued study medication due to an adverse event (13% of PREVYMIS subjects vs. 12% of placebo subjects). The most frequently reported adverse event that led to study drug discontinuation was nausea, occurring in 2% of PREVYMIS subjects and 1% of placebo subjects. Hypersensitivity reaction, with associated moderate dyspnea, occurred in one subject following the first infusion of IV PREVYMIS after switching from oral PREVYMIS, leading to treatment discontinuation. Laboratory Abnormalities Selected laboratory abnormalities reported during treatment or within 2 weeks of stopping treatment are presented in Table 9. Table 9: Trial P001 Selected Laboratory Abnormalities PREVYMIS N=373 Placebo N=192 Absolute neutrophil count (cells/μL) < 500 19% 19% 500 – < 750 4% 7% 750 – < 1000 8% 9% Hemoglobin (g/dL) < 6.5 2% 1% 6.5 – < 8.0 14% 15% 8.0 – < 9.5 41% 43% Platelets (cells/μL) < 25000 27% 21% 25000 – < 50000 17% 18% 50000 – < 100000 20% 30% Serum creatinine (mg/dL) > 2.5 2% 3% > 1.5 – 2.5 17% 20% The median time to engraftment (defined as absolute neutrophil count ≥ 500/mm 3 on 3 consecutive days after transplantation) was 19 days in the PREVYMIS group and 18 days in the placebo group. Prophylaxis From Week 14 (~100 days) Through Week 28 (~200 days) Post-HSCT The safety of PREVYMIS was evaluated in a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (P040) in which 218 subjects who completed PREVYMIS prophylaxis through ~100 days post-HSCT were randomized to treatment with PREVYMIS (N=144) or placebo (N=74) through Week 28 (~200 days) post-HSCT. Adverse events were those reported while subjects were on study drug or within two weeks of study drug completion/discontinuation. The most commonly reported adverse events in P040 were similar to those reported in P001. Study drug was discontinued due to an adverse event in 5% of PREVYMIS subjects and 1% of placebo subjects. The cardiac adverse event rate was 4% in the PREVYMIS and placebo groups. The rates of hematologic laboratory abnormalities were comparable in the PREVYMIS and placebo groups. Serum creatinine abnormalities > 1.5 mg/dL occurred in 15% of PREVYMIS and 8% of placebo subjects. Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients [D+/R-] The safety of PREVYMIS was evaluated in a Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, active comparator-controlled trial (P002) in which 589 subjects were treated with PREVYMIS (N=292) or valganciclovir (N=297) through Week 28 post-transplant. Adverse events were those reported while subjects were on study medication or within two weeks of study medication completion/discontinuation. In these subjects, diarrhea was reported in at least 10% of subjects in the PREVYMIS group and at a frequency greater than valganciclovir (PREVYMIS, 32%; valganciclovir, 29%). Study drug was discontinued due to an adverse event in 4% of PREVYMIS subjects and 14% of valganciclovir subjects. The most frequently reported adverse events that led to study drug discontinuation were neutropenia (PREVYMIS, 1%; valganciclovir, 2%) and leukopenia (PREVYMIS, 1%; valganciclovir, 5%). Laboratory Abnormalities Selected laboratory abnormalities reported through Week 28 post-transplant are presented in Table 10. Table 10: Trial P002 Selected Laboratory Abnormalities PREVYMIS N=292 Valganciclovir N=297 Absolute neutrophil count (cells/μL) < 500 2% 7% 500 – < 750 1% 4% 750 – < 1000 1% 8% Total < 1000 5% 18% Hemoglobin (g/dL) < 6.5 2% 0% 6.5 – < 8.0 4% 5% 8.0 – < 9.5 29% 32% Total < 9.5 34% 37% Platelets (cells/μL) < 50000 0% 0% 50000 – < 100000 1% 3% Total < 100000 1% 3% Leukocytes (cells/μL) < 1000 1% 2% 1000 – < 2000 5% 19% 2000 – < 2500 4% 14% Total < 2500 10% 35% Serum creatinine (mg/dL) > 2.5 24% 22% > 1.5 – 2.5 49% 52% Total > 1.5 73% 73% Pediatric Recipients of an Allogeneic HSCT The safety of PREVYMIS was evaluated in 63 pediatric subjects aged 2 months to less than 18 years of age who received an allogeneic HSCT (P030). PREVYMIS was administered orally (tablet or pellet) or intravenously. The duration of PREVYMIS exposure ranged from 3 days to 102 days (median duration 84 days). The safety profile was consistent with the safety profile observed in clinical trials of PREVYMIS in adults [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) and Clinical Studies (14.4) ].

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Risk of Adverse Reactions or Reduced Therapeutic Effect Due to Drug Interactions: The concomitant use of PREVYMIS with certain drugs may result in potentially significant drug interactions, some of which may lead to adverse reactions (PREVYMIS or concomitant drugs) or reduced therapeutic effect of PREVYMIS or the concomitant drug. Consult the full prescribing information for contraindications and dosage recommendations for concomitant drugs. ( 4 , 5.1 , 7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3 ) Risks Associated with Hydroxypropyl Betadex Excipient in Intravenous Formulation: Intravenous formulation of PREVYMIS contains the excipient hydroxypropyl betadex. PREVYMIS injection should be used only in patients unable to take oral therapy. If possible, intravenous administration should not exceed 4 weeks. In patients with renal impairment, accumulation of hydroxypropyl betadex may occur. Animal studies have shown the potential for hydroxypropyl betadex to cause ototoxicity. ( 5.2 , 8.6 , 13.2 ) 5.1 Risk of Adverse Reactions or Reduced Therapeutic Effect Due to Drug Interactions The concomitant use of PREVYMIS and certain drugs may result in potentially significant drug interactions, some of which may lead to adverse reactions (PREVYMIS or concomitant drugs) or reduced therapeutic effect of PREVYMIS or the concomitant drug [see Contraindications (4) and Drug Interactions (7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3) ] . See Table 11 for steps to prevent or manage these possible or known significant drug interactions, including dosing recommendations. Consider the potential for drug interactions prior to and during PREVYMIS therapy; review concomitant medications during PREVYMIS therapy; and monitor for adverse reactions associated with PREVYMIS and concomitant medications. 5.2 Risks Associated with Hydroxypropyl Betadex Excipient in Intravenous Formulation Intravenous formulation of PREVYMIS contains the excipient hydroxypropyl betadex. PREVYMIS injection should be used only in patients unable to take oral therapy and patients should be switched to oral PREVYMIS as soon as they are able to take oral medications. If possible, intravenous administration should not exceed 4 weeks [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ]. In patients with renal impairment, accumulation of hydroxypropyl betadex may occur. In adult patients with CLcr less than 50 mL/min and in pediatric patients with a similar degree of renal impairment (based on age-appropriate assessment of renal function) receiving PREVYMIS injection, closely monitor serum creatinine levels [see Dosage and Administration (2.7) and Use in Specific Populations (8.6) ] . Animal studies have shown the potential for hydroxypropyl betadex to cause ototoxicity [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.2) ]. The active ingredient, letermovir, is not known to be associated with ototoxicity.